Ever wonder why supermarkets have an entire aisle devoted to breakfast cereals? Or what that has to do with why soda costs less than bottled water or fresh vegetables?
With this new interactive online feature you can “shop” at a virtual supermarket to uncover the stories behind everyday foods and learn why we have less choice about what goes in our shopping carts than we think. Created by the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS), the supermarket experience also tackles frequently asked questions about buying food that’s good for our health, for animals and the planet:
- Eggs -- What does “cage-free” really mean?
- Meat – How does meat production impact the climate?
- Fruits -- Can we protect workers from pesticides?
- Vegetables -- How can we help people eat more of them?
As part of this supermarket experience, there are also non-food stops. “The Dumpster” looks at the problem of food waste, for example, and “The Back Office” explores issues of power, ownership, and equity in the food production system, from farm to fork. For more information about how the supermarket is a microcosm of our larger food system and how we can change it for the better, read this blog.
We hope that after taking our shopping cart for a spin you’ll think differently about the foods you buy, and the public policies that shape what’s available to us. Feel free to share this feature widely and repost it on your blogs, use as a learning tool in your classrooms, and spark conversations with family and friends!
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